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Why Are Opiates So Addictive?

People are becoming addicted to opiates a lot more than in the past these days. Opiates are also commonly called narcotics and can be found in many drugs such as hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and heroin. People become highly addicted to opiates because they produce endorphins inside of the brain that give off a good feeling to a user. If a person uses opiates for a long period of time, the only way they will feel this "good" feeling is to continue taking the drug. Opiates are highly addictive and can have very harmful withdrawal symptoms, as well as overdose risks.

Opiate Withdrawal

A person who is addicted to opiates often has immediate withdrawal symptoms after they stop taking them. Withdrawal signs can be noticed as depression, restlessness, stress, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, and insomnia. It is very important for a person that is addicted to narcotics to get help right away. The likelihood of an addict returning to a substance is very high, and can become a crucial health risk if they do relapse or do not get their "fix". People that have been using opiates for a long period of time due to medical reasons, often have bad withdrawal symptoms if they are quickly taken off the medication. That is why it is so important to only take opiates in the doses that a doctor prescribes.

Opiate Addiction

There are numerous people that go to many doctors to seek opiates. It is known as "doctor shopping" and can be a very dangerous health risk. If a person that is addicted to opiates does not get what they are searching for prescribed to them, they often times buy the drugs off of the street. Opiates are generally prescribed to help treat pain that is moderate to severe. Two of the most common opiates found in the United States these days are hydrocodone and oxycodone. They are also commonly known as Vicodin and Percocet. They are both highly addictive and can be easily abused. A lot of people become dependent on these drugs and end up taking more than they are prescribed; causing an overdose or addiction problem.

Some people that are highly addicted to opiates need to have treatment that offers detoxification. A lot of addicts cannot take themselves off the drugs without having medically supervised treatment. That is where treatment facilities come in handy. There are various people that have intense withdrawal symptoms that can cause harmful experiences to themselves and to others, which is why it is very important to have a professional supervise them during detoxification. There are other options for people that need opiate addiction treatment; it just depends on the person and their situation.

Those who use opiates illegally in the United States cost taxpayers over $400 billion each year due to traffic accidents, crimes, and healthcare costs. Opiate addiction also can lead to many health issues such as hepatitis, diseases, HIV, AIDS, and many other infections as well. Most addicts cannot hold down a regular job, so they steal and lie to get their drugs. Addiction breaks up a lot of families, friendships, and relationships because of trust issues and drug dependence. Mood swings are a big part of opiate addiction, and a lot of relationships fail because of it.

Opiate Tolerance

There are a lot of addicts that build up a tolerance to opiates, and end up taking more of drugs than intended. That can lead to overdose and many other health concerns. Taking too many narcotics at once can even cause death. There are many side effects for addicts addicted to opiates. Some of those side effects included restlessness, hyperactivity, concentration problems, slurred speech, bad judgment, and rapid heartbeat. Diminished coordination and bouts of depression are also very common when it comes to opiate addiction.

Opiate Abuse Treatment

Getting help for someone addicted to opiates can be difficult if they are not willing to get help themselves. It is very important if a person seems to be addicted to opiates or is showing signs of withdrawal to get help right away. Overdose and withdrawal symptoms are not something to take lightly, and can cause many problems for not only the addict, but also their families. Treatment and rehab facilities can be found all over the place, and are willing to help addicts get clean and sober.